Unknown Facts About The Gili Meno Statues

Jason deCaires Taylor, a well-known underwater sculptor, created 48 life-size statues of couples embracing and lying down along the west coast of Gili Meno. The statues are known as the Gili Meno.

This Gili Meno underwater sculpture was based on casts of real people and was commissioned by BASK, a beachfront eco-resort currently under construction opposite the statues.

The statues are a popular snorkeling spot on Gili Meno, and for good reason. They are stunning and a joy to behold. But there’s no denying they’re a little eerie, raw, and haunting.

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They hope to remind visitors of the many fragile treasures hidden beneath the sea – and they have a secret.

What no one tells you about the underwater statues of Gili Meno…

#1 They are more than just a tourist attraction.

The BASK Gili Meno statues are a popular snorkeling spot on Gili Meno (especially for Instagram photos!).
But these hauntingly beautiful statues are more than meets the eye.
They’re made of pH neutral environmental-grade concrete and were created to aid in the creation of a manmade reef where coral can grow… quickly.

#2 The statues on Gili Meno also have a deeper meaning.

The Gili Meno statues have a deeper meaning because their purpose is to help coral grow and create a reef for marine life.

They are arranged in a circle to symbolize the circle of life.
“First and foremost, Nest is an environmental space,” deCaires Taylor says. The figures are arranged in a circular pattern to represent the circle of life, and they will soon be teeming with life. Soft corals and sponges should proliferate quickly, paving the way for delicate hard corals and a fully developed reef.”

#3 It is not permitted to touch the statues.

When you arrive, you’ll most likely see people standing on the statues or using them as anchors to take underwater photos and videos.

However, touching the statues is strictly prohibited.
Corals and sponges have already begun to grow on them, and touching the statues prevents them from performing their intended function.
Locals and tour companies are always warning snorkelers not to touch the statues, but the word needs to get out more!

#4 The current is strong near the statues… They’re also very close to a reef drop off.

Although the statues are easily accessible via shallow water from the island of Gili Meno, they are dangerously close to a reef drop off.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term “reef drop off,” it’s a large dip or slope in the ocean floor that causes the water to become deeper and darker blue.

If you’re a beginner snorkeler, this may be a little unsettling, especially since the strong current surrounding the statues will try to pull you out and away from them.

It’s not a problem as long as you keep an eye on where you are in relation to the statues and reef drop off, but if you start getting pulled away, you may need to swim hard against the current.

#5 Gili Meno’s underwater sculptures are also a great place to see fish and other marine life.

Don’t limit your underwater exploration to the Gili Meno statues!

There are a lot of fish and other marine life around the statues and nearby, so take your time and look around.

#6 The statues are well-liked… However, if you go at the right time, you can see them without crowds.

While many snorkeling tours from the Gili Islands drop tourists off at the statues, if you go at the right time, you can see them without crowds.

The best times to visit are usually early in the morning (before 9 a.m.) and at dusk (around 5 p.m.), when there are fewer snorkelers around the statues.